December 2013 for Caldecote, Edworth, Hinxworth and Newnham No.147 Christmas Card - Last Call Hinxworth Village Supper If you wish to join the Hinxworth and Edworth Christmas Card Some 55 villagers and friends enjoyed a right good evening at Hinx- Scheme this year (see the last edition of Village Voice) let me know as worth’s Village Supper in our Village Hall on Saturday November 23rd. early as possible, but by Sunday 15th December at the latest to allow time Those who stayed away missed a great meal, with starters, lasagne and for the card to be put together, printed and delivered before Christmas. salad, and a choice of amazing and probably fattening desserts.They also As a reminder: cheques should be made payable to “WaterAid UK” missed a welcome glass of bubbly as they arrived and later a pot-pourri or/and “Garden House Hospice”. WaterAid is an international charity of local entertainment introduced with customary flair by Andy Hartree. whose mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water and Songs and sketches and some poems by Pam sanitation in the world’s poorest communities, where currently a child Ayres flowed at or a near walking pace. Andy dies every 40 seconds from water-related diseases – a shocking fact. belted out a classic rendering of Minnie the If you are a UK income tax payer and would like to donate through Moocher. A ghostly Simon Marlow, engaged Gift Aid, your contribution will be worth another 25% to the charity down the road for a concert in Ashwell, pro- concerned without any extra cost to yourself. Though cheques are vided faultless backing tracks for Stuart Lillie preferable, if you’d rather give cash do remember to write your name and Patrick Forbes who sang two Flanders on the envelope, adding the name of the charity you wish to support and Swann songs. A sketch dating back to and whether this can be through Gift Aid. Let’s try to surpass last year’s the 1960s was performed by an elegantly costumed modern man Stuart total of nearly £1,200! Lillie, Renaissance Man Michael Baim, and medieval serf Patrick Forbes. Janet Fair “Cammocks”, Chapel Street, Hinxworth Brenda Smith recited three Pam Ayres poems before Michael Baim and 01462 743137 or e-mail [email protected] Ed Thorn performed a sketch, and a joke so visual your entertainment correspondent missed it. I think it involved an ironing board. Faster Broadband - help at hand After receiving the news that Hinxworth would not be part of the swift suave auction BDUK upgrade scheme for faster ‘fibre’ broadband paid for by public An auction of promises and other goodies funds, the Parish Council and Herts. County Councillor Tony Hunter was swiftly and suavely handled by Andy and have met to discuss the way towards getting faster broadband for our area. Stuart, and raised the magnificent sum of Consultations with North Herts. MP Oliver Heald and Hertfordshire £1827. Andy, closing the evening, thanked County Council have only produced promises of further investigation the organisers, Sylvia and Victoria for “keep- into why the Ashwell exchange has been ruled out of getting upgraded ing things going”, Jan Raynham for cooking and we are still awaiting the results of these enquiries. In the meantime all the lasagne, the entertainers, the hosts, and villagers have been researching solutions to the problem of slow broad- all who had come to the evening. It was forty band. The three options so far are:- years since Philip and Judy King organised the first villagesupper, he alternative to BT said, and it was good to see Judy King there. 1. Find an alternative fibre supplier to BT that would lay fibre to a good village do individual properties in the village. The fibre company Gigaclear has Sylvia Scales said a day or two later that the total raised, after expenses been contacted but is only able to offer a scheme funded by subscribers would be around £2,150 for Village Hall funds It had been “a good village themselves (roughly £1,000 each) as a loan to be paid back over 20 years. do,” she said. And who could possibly disagree? Our thanks to all who find a wisp organised, cooked, helped in any way, contributed to the auction, and cleaned up afterwards. Who will organise the Village Supper next year? 2. Find a Wireless Internet Service Provider or WISP that would extend their wireless network to cover the village. This option is still under investigation and a WISP, Redraw, has been contacted and is running a site survey in the village. form a pressure group 3. Form a pressure group to engage with BT and HCC. Several resi- dents have already been working independently in sourcing alternatives, so forming a pressure group together with Ashwell would be vital in being effective to persuade BT to upgrade the Ashwell exchange.Those interested in joining together to form such a group should contact the parish council who are putting together a list of interested parties to take part and arrange a public meeting. help is at hand In the meantime there are some improvements that may help some with connection problems. David Rumball is kindly volunteering his time to help others with slow or intermittent broadband to get better connection. Call 01462 742283 or email [email protected] Finest Foods from Farrowby Farm Women’s Institute November 2013 Jean Brown 1925 – 2013 On Thursday November 14th our speaker was Karen Hrbek, she had I first met Jean Brown 40 come to visit us and show us her amazing display of patchwork quilts. years ago when our family She started quilting back in 2003 when after an operation on her back came to Hinxworth to live; she was off work for a least three months and needed to make use of her she was a quiet gentle person time. A friend suggested that she come to the Letchworth Settlement but could hold her own in any and join a quilting group. This she did and has never looked back. She conversation and had her own also formed a group in her home village of Willian and 10 ladies meet opinions. every month in the village hall and stitch and design all day each bringing She was born in Redhill, a plate of food for lunch to share with others. Surrey, and had lived in North Yorkshire. In 1951 she met her takes material and cotton on holiday husband Fred and they married Karen has made quilts for all her family even one made of denim for her son to take to university. I think that was left at home when he went! I and in due course they moved to The Wolery, The Close, Hinxworth, have never seen such a variety of work and she was so enthusiastic about when it was first built. the work she was doing. She even takes pieces of material and cottons Jean joined the WI and became one of its most valued members; she in a small bag on holiday! She explained all the names of the different could play the piano and used to play “Jerusalem” our WI anthem before patterns of the quilts and patchwork which are far too many to mention. each meeting and for several years was on the committee, holding various Next month’s meeting; the Christmas Meeting is a gathering of mem- posts from president to secretary. She played the organ on Sundays in bers and their husbands and partners. Note earlier time of 7pm, Village church, in turn with Simon Marlow. She was available for weddings and Hall, Hinxworth, Thursday December 12th 2013. funerals, all this as well as holding down a job at The Knights Templar School as secretary to Phil Turner, head of lower school. Jean loved Carol Cheney children but unfortunately could not have any of her own. She made up for it by being loving auntie to the Crocker children, grand-children Hampton Court Flower Show of her greatest friend Beryl Crocker, who lived at The Fir Trees, now Baldock Horticultural Society plans to visit the famous Hampton known as The Old Bakery in Chapel Street, Hinxworth. Court Flower Show on Thursday July 10th next year by coach. Because the Society is affiliated to the RHS I can reserve tickets for this event playing the music she loved now, but must pay for them by the end of January at the latest. Because In the eighties the WI were often asked to do a bit of entertainment for payment is obviously required “up front”, anyone wishing to go should the village supper. Flanagan and Allen’s “Underneath the Arches” was let me have £21, the ticket cost for 40+ people going, as soon as possible decided upon, produced by Phil Turner. Jean set about finding the music and certainly by 15th January. The total cost will be in the region of £36 and printing the songs which were needed. She enjoyed the theatre, per person for 40+ people going. musicals and opera and this was just up her street, playing the piano the music that she loved. In the above production her good friend Beryl, the more who go the lower the cost who had an excellent voice, played Florrie Forde, accompanied by Jean, If there are marginally fewer people interested then the total cost will be no mean feat as some of the music was quite difficult. £40 and you will be asked whether you wish to pay £25 for your ticket In 1991 Beryl sadly died and Jean decided to move to a smaller house which is the rate for 10-39 people going. At this point, you would be in Ashwell, nearer the amenities that Ashwell has to offer. She still played able to change your mind about going on the trip. In the event of the the organ in church, and attended the WI until the last two years. response being overwhelming, and we exceed the number of 40, then the overall cost will be a little cheaper than £36. If response is poor and same sense of humour a coach is not worth hiring then the trip will not go ahead and those Eighteen months ago Jean had a fall – by this time she was in her mid who have paid will get their money back. If you think you would like to eighties – and broke her hip. She was in Addenbrookes Hospital for make a commitment or have any questions, please contact me on 01462 some time then went for recuperation at Royston Hospital. I visited her 893418 or at [email protected] there several times and she was still the same Jean, if a bit forgetful, but The coach fare which you would still owe will be required by the end she recognised me at once, with the same sense of humour. of May. If you pay your £21 per head and then decide that you cannot Sadly, age caught up with her and after being discharged from hospital go for any reason, there will be no refund after the end of January, as the she went back to her own home in Ashwell with a package of care in place. RHS does not offer refunds when tickets have been paid for. It would But it was not enough care for her and it was decided that residential care be up to you to find a replacement. was the only answer, so she went to Burleigh House Residential Home, If this trip goes ahead, a booking form will be sent to you after the end Baldock and was there until she died. May she rest in peace. of January for you to complete, with all the details and picking up points. Carol Cheney Angela Camp, Visits Organiser, Baldock Horticultural Society Village Voice wish all our readers a Tennis success for Annie and Mandy joyful Christmas and a good New Year Annie Hull and Mandy Ferguson, St Nicholas Hinxworth Patronal Festival two very keen Hinxworth tennis 9.15 am Sunday December 8th players triumphed in the Local Ladies wear something red Tactics Tennis Day League recently. Having won their section for a sec- Quiz Night News ond year running they then played Thank you to all the teams who attended the music quiz night, and in the knockout stages winning in also a big thank you to all the people who helped to make the evening the final 7 – 6, 6 – 2. “We were possible - mum, dad, Julie, Babs, Liam, Emma, Stacey, Dean, Bobby, disappointed to be runners up last Oliver, and my co-compere Libby. We made just over £220 and the year so this year when we reached the winners were ‘The Animals’ from Farrowby Farm, Bev, Steve, Fred and final we were determined to lift the Julie. Well done. Thanks winners’ trophy. We are delighted”. Helene Donohoe Mandy Ferguson Looking through the garden fence Hinxworth Parish Council Now, come on artists of creation, Minutes of a meeting of Hinxworth Parish Countil held on Thursday The garden fence is your destination. 7th November. Present: Mr D. Osmond (Acting Chairman), Mr E. Perusing through a broken panel, Sore, Mr P. Watler, Mrs W. Kitchener, Clerk. Apologies: Mr A. Cullen. Or a hole made by fallen knot Also attending: Mr David Rumball – adviser to the Parish Council on The image we want to be seen through this shot Superfast Broadband. Painting, crayon or charcoal sketch, The Chairman: Subsequent to the resignation of Les Whitfield, David Think of the interest we can fetch Osmond has agreed to continue as Acting Chairman until such time as an Through colour show your secret image, additional person is co-opted on to the Council to fill the current vacancy. It’s not by rule to be in garden Superfast Broadband: David Rumball told the meeting he had re- Might be genuine might be a lie, searched the possible action that can be taken in the respect of bringing Use your eye and make a story Superfast Broadband to Hinxworth as BDUK will not be providing the Lead us into your place of glory service anytime soon. It appears there are three options now available 1) There must not be a line of frame BT- DIY system, 2) Wi-fi System –Satellite Technology 3) Fibre Optics the hole in fence will be your border – Companies such as Gigaclear. David has been in contact with Gigaclear Image to be size of postcard now reduced (see www.gigaclear.com) who are to provide him with further informa- To enhance the project being produced tion. David will also research the other options available. In the meantime The rules seen here are stipulation the Parish Council (Paul Watler) will contact Ashwell Parish Council to now go on, enjoy, and build on your very own creation. see if they would be willing to be included in any initiative instigated by Look out for application for entry into artistic category. Remember the Hinxworth. It is also expected Newnham and Edworth could be included more categories you enter the more the points to gain a prize if they so wish. From what responses are received it will then be decided Village Hall Management Committee to call a public meeting to discuss the way forward between all interested parties. The Acting Chairman thanked David for his excellent work and Ashwell Surgery on-line appointments his continuing support and advice on Superfast Broadband. We are pleased to announce the launch of Patient Access, a new and The Councillors agreed Oliver Heald MP, Tony Hunter County Coun- convenient way for you to book and cancel appointments at any time. cillor, Andrew Young District Councillor should be kept fully informed. - Quick and easy to use It is hoped they should be able to notify the Parish Council of where to - Avoid busy telephone lines gain any additional advice and expertise, from their appropriate bodies, - Access online out of practice hours when and if required. It is also hoped there may be some funding available. - Electronic management of your appointments Planning: Planning Applications: 13/2482/1HH 8 New Inn Road – - Smart phone friendly 13/2542/1HH Mole End, The Close – 13/2578/HH 12 Francis Road. - Safe and secure - all data within Patient Access is protected using the The Parish Council agreed to “no objection” to these applications. highest standard of internet security, so you can be sure all your personal Highways: Litter Bins: It has been reported the bins in the area have information is safe and secure. not been emptied. how to use it Village Hall: A request has been made for the trees at the rear of the To use Patient Access, you will need to log in and register, leaflets are Village Hall to be cut back as some branches are encroaching on the available from the surgery. To register: adjacent property. - Go to www.patient.co.uk Recreation Ground: Stotfold Junior Football Club: The Parish Coun- - Click on the orange patient access icon cillors are pleased this is working well and the pitch and the surrounding - Follow the on screen instructions to register area is cleared and kept tidy after each match. Ashwell School Bonfire: - You will be given a unique ID number which you will require in The Parish Councillors thank the PTA for clearing away all the debris. order to log into the system The additional material deposited by the public will be cleared by the - Log in, follow the on screen instructions and manage your appoint- Hinxworth Archers on behalf of the Parish Council. ments, it’s as simple as that! The Allotments: The Parish Councillors asked for Chris Vallely to be contacted to see when the revised licence will be available. please give us feedback Any Other Urgent Business: Risk Assessment: The Councillors As this is a new service, we would value your feedback to enable us to agreed to the current risk assessment remaining in place. Annual Ac- evaluate and manage online appointments as efficently as possible. If you counts: The Councillors agreed to review the procedures at the next Parish should experience any difficulties, please report this to a member of staff. Council Meeting. Web-Site: The Councillors agreed to discuss further December soup lunch is on Friday 13th the setting up of a domain for a dedicated web-site for the Parish Council. Next Meeting: Thursday December 5th at 7.00 pm in the Village Hall. 12.30pm to 2pm, Hinxworth Village Hall Wendy Kitchener Clerk Hinxworth Parish Council Knitted Nativity visits the villages Christmas at The Three Horseshoes If you would like to borrow the knitted nativity set contact Carol Santa Drive, Friday 6th December, £2.50 per person, tables of 4, Cheney on 01462 742602 between December 7th and 19th. 7.30 pm. Evening of Carols, Mince Pies and Mulled Wine - Thursday Dates for your diary 19th December - 8pm November 30th Christmas Bazaar Hinxworth Village Hall 11am - 1pm Christmas Opening Times December 6th Santa Drive, Three Horseshoes, Hinxworth, 7.30pm Christmas Eve - Open All Day - Food 12-3 pm, 6.30 - 9.30 pm December 7th Winter Wonderland URC Hall, Ashwell 10 am - 1 pm Christmas Day - 12-3 pm - Drinks Only December 7th Winter Wonderland Ball, Hinxworth Village Hall Boxing Day - Food 12-4 pm, 6-10 pm Drinks Only December 7th Ashwell Christmas Fair, St. Mary’s, Ashwell, 9.30am Margaret December 13th Soup lunch, Hinxworth Village Hall, 12.30pm December 15th Last date for Christmas Card Scheme, see page 1 Pig Roast raises £212 December 15th 4 pm Carol Service St Vincent Newnham, all welcome Some 90 people enjoyed the pig roast at the Three Horseshoes on December 19th Evening of carols, Three Horsehoes, Hinxworth, 8pm November 22nd. Proceeds were divided between the charities Focus and March 15th 2014 - Crooner and Hollywood Glam evening Help the Heroes. Church Services On the beat December 1st 10.15am Family Service St. Nicholas, Hinxworth with PC 1277 Nic Musto December 8th 9.15am Festival Eucharist, St. Nicholas, Hinxworth December 15th 9.15am Parish Eucharist St. Nicholas, Hinxworth 4 pm Carol Service St. Vincent, Newnham It has been a very busy month in the rural areas, December 22nd 9.15am Parish Eucharist, St. Nicholas, Hinxworth with the blight of burglary from garden sheds affect- 9.30 am Holy Communion, St Vincent, Newnham ing so many of us. This is a real pain for those who December 24th 11.30 pm Midnight Communion St Nicholas are victims and the recent spate has shown that these December 25th 9.30 am Holy Communion St. Vincent, Newnham thieves obviously know where to go and how to go about taking what they December 25th 10 am Carols and readings St. Nicholas, Hinxworth need. Many sheds have not had the locks broken or damaged but instead December 29th 10.45 am Parish Eucharist, St. Mary, Ashwell the screws to the shed door hinges have been removed. As I say below in the tips section, these external hinge screws can be replaced with one Winter Wonderland way clutch head screws. Garden sheds are by their very character only a Ashwell Playgroup’s Winter Wonderland will be on the 7th December dry storage area for the odd tool. I would urge that if you have expensive from 10 am - 1 pm at the URC Hall, Ashwell. Come along to visit items such as hedge trimmers and chainsaws and mowers and have a Santa’s grotto. There will be mulled wine, sausages,”Made in Ashwell” more secure garage or space within your house, please use that instead. treats and much more festive fun. keep an eye on cars and vans Ashwell Christmas Fair We are working with other agencies to try and trace these offenders Ashwell Christmas Fair will be held in St. Mary’s Church on Saturday, and as always would appeal to you in the rural areas to pass on to us any 7th December, from 9.30 am – 1.00 pm. There will be stalls with arts activities you deem to be suspicious or just plain out of the ordinary for and crafts, cakes and cards, presents and produce for sale, plus refresh- your area. As I have said above, these thieves knew where to go. That ments available. The Choir will sing carols and the Museum will be open. in itself would indicate that prior to committing the offences, they observed. Someone must have seen vehicles that looked out of place. Simon and Shulah’s cd ready If you seen cars/vans etc in an area it shouldn’t be, please dial 101 and Earlier this year Simon Marlow pass on that information to us, or email myself or Chris Brabrook. Our and Shulah Oliver recorded a pro- contact details are below. gramme of music by Elgar, Carpenter and Vaughan-Williams in St Nicholas garages and sheds – the advice Church, Hinxworth. The cd is now Always make sure you securely lock your garage and/or shed, and don’t available at just £10 from Simon keep any valuables in there unless you use additional security measures. Marlow, Hill Cottage, Arnolds Lane, Lock away any gardening equipment and tools, as burglars can use these Hinxworth, 01462 742268. The cd, to break into your home. featuring Elgar’s Violin Sonata, would make a great Christmas present Garages and sheds – the technical bit: or you could spoil yourself and buy your own copy. Simon and Shulah - Metal up-and-over garage doors can be secured with additional have been performing in Germany in the last few weeks. purpose made locks fitted to either side, approximately 300mm up from the floor to reduce the leverage points. We did remember them - An external floor mounted solid steel locking ‘T’ bar with a closed In Hinxworth, the street collection by David Eddell and Graham shackle padlock will offer a good visual deterrent and make it difficult White raised £420, the Church collection at St Nicholas on Remem- to force the door open. brance Sunday amounted to £227.50, and the collection in the Three - Wooden garage double doors can be secured with two substantial Horseshoes produced £64.71, a total of £712.21 sent to the Royal hasps and staples and closed shackle padlocks, one towards the top and British Legion. Gwen Bowen collected £167.70 in Newnham. Well one towards the bottom. done, Hinxworth and Newnham. Thanks to those who collected and - Garage side or rear doors can be secured with the British Standard those who gave. 5-lever mortice locks and two internal mortice rack bolts, one towards Jill Powell, Poppy Appeal Organiser the top and one towards the bottom to reduce the leverage points. - Shed doors can be secured with two substantial hasps and staples Have you bought your Christmas wrapping paper yet? and two closed shackle padlocks on the outside, one towards the top Award winning Hinxworth business, Re- and one towards the bottom External hinge screws should be replaced wrapped designs and sells a range of beautiful with one-way clutch head screws to prevent them being removed and gift wrap, printed onto 100% recycled paper. access gained this way. The paper is available from Annie Cullen, - Garage and shed windows can be secured with internal diamond mesh Hinxworth, [email protected]. The grilles which provide a good visual deterrent to opportunistic burglars. range includes Christmas paper, children’s paper Hertfordshire Police contacts and some beautiful contemporary designs. 5% [email protected] 01438 757986 of profits from this eco-company go to charity. [email protected] 01438 757935 Annie Cullen Ring 101 if you have suffered a crime or need Police within a couple of hours. 999 for immediate response if you have just suffered a crime and for hare coursing. PC 1277 Nic Musto, North Herts Rural Bedfordshire Police Contact Don’t miss copy deadline For readers in Edworth, in emergency dial 999, otherwise ring 01234 841212, Bedfordshire Police HQ switchboard, manned around the clock. Please send all copy and pictures for January’s Village Voice to Annie Cullen, 1 Christy’s Yard Hinxworth, Herts. SG7 5EH. E-mail to villagevoice3@gmail. St Vincent Newnham com by December 10th. Village Voice, published by Forbes Services Ltd, Carol service December 15th 4 pm can be read at www.hinxworth.info Finest Foods from Farrowby Farm